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Investigating a crow die-off in January–February 2011 during the introduction of a new clade of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 into Bangladesh

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Abstract

We investigated unusual crow mortality in Bangladesh during January-February 2011 at two sites. Crows of two species, Corvus splendens and C. macrorhynchos, were found sick and dead during the outbreaks. In selected crow roosts, morbidity was ~1 % and mortality was ~4 % during the investigation. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1 was isolated from dead crows. All isolates were closely related to A/duck/India/02CA10/2011 (H5N1) with 99.8 % and A/crow/Bangladesh/11rs1984-15/2011 (H5N1) virus with 99 % nucleotide sequence identity in their HA genes. The phylogenetic cluster of Bangladesh viruses suggested a common ancestor with viruses found in poultry from India, Myanmar and Nepal. Histopathological changes and immunohistochemistry staining in brain, pancreas, liver, heart, kidney, bursa of Fabricius, rectum, and cloaca were consistent with influenza virus infection. Through our limited investigation in domesticated birds near the crow roosts, we did not identify any samples that tested positive for influenza virus A/H5N1. However, environmental samples collected from live-bird markets near an outbreak site during the month of the outbreaks tested very weakly positive for influenza virus A/H5N1 in clade 2.3.2.1-specific rRT-PCR. Continuation of surveillance in wild and domestic birds may identify evolution of new avian influenza virus and associated public-health risks.

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Acknowledgments

This research study was funded by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Cooperative Agreement 5U01CI000628). icddr,b acknowledges with gratitude the commitment of CDC to its research efforts. The contents of this report are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC or the icddr,b. We also acknowledge and appreciate the diligent technical assistance of Department of Livestock and Forest Department field officers of Bangladesh, the icddr,b field team, and the immunohistochemistry team of Gabriele Czerwinski at FLI.

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Correspondence to Salah Uddin Khan.

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Khan, S.U., Berman, L., Haider, N. et al. Investigating a crow die-off in January–February 2011 during the introduction of a new clade of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 into Bangladesh. Arch Virol 159, 509–518 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-013-1842-0

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